FAQ
What can I expect from my first appointment?
Great question! After an initial phone call, we will schedule a 60 minute evaluation. During the evaluation, I will ask questions about what brings you to therapy at this time, your mental health history, family history, relationship history, and we will develop a plan for how to move forward. If during this appointment you or I determine that it isn't a good fit after all, I can provide you with a list of other providers that could be a better fit.
Do you offer sliding scale rates?
I do! I understand how challenging it can be to prioritize your mental health when therapy is expensive. I have several sliding scale spots that are based on income level. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact me.
If my sliding scale slots are full, I recommend checking out OpenPath. They match people with providers for $30-$60 per session for a small initial fee ($59 lifetime membership).
What will happen after the first appointment?
The next week, I will ask what's been on your mind since we last met. It is ok to not know what you would like to talk about initially! Some of the best sessions have started with "I don't know." Usually, clients will talk about their week, talk about something that is bothering them, or will bring up something from the past that they want to explore. Other times, we will use techniques that don't involve much talking at all (such as Brainspotting). There isn't a "wrong way" to do therapy!
What theoretical orientations do you use?
I am primarily an integrative therapist, meaning that I use a wide variety of techniques and theories to guide our work together. These include:
How can I ensure that therapy is successful?
I am so glad that you are dedicated to healing! Therapy works when you are engaged in treatment. meaning that you attend consistently, and that you are using the time to further the goals that we determined in the first session. Communication is also incredibly important, and letting me know what works and especially what isn't working is a great way to get what you need in therapy as well. Know that therapy can feel uncomfortable at times (we are experiencing and talking about hard things, after all)- but it is all in the service of helping you grow!
I am not able to afford therapy right now. What can I do instead?
Thankfully, there is a ton of material online for self-help. Here are some of my favorites:
Anxiety: https://www.anxietycanada.com/free-downloadable-pdf-resources/
Depression: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm
Trauma: https://www.psychologytools.com/self-help/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/
Help with hard emotions: https://positivepsychology.com/emotion-regulation-worksheets-strategies-dbt-skills/